Racing: Group one chance for former boss

Victory in the Zabeel Classic wouldn't be Cameron Lammas' first at group one level, but it's likely winning on Kerry O'Reilly would mean just as much to him.

Lammas broke his group one duck aboard Calveen, then trained by Lance O'Sullivan, in the Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie in March.

But on Monday he's got the chance to win at group one level for his old boss, Matamata trainer Jim Gibbs.

Lammas rode many winners while he was apprenticed for Gibbs but despite a few chances he could not manage one at group one level.

"I'd love to win one for him and this is probably my best chance yet."

Kerry O'Reilly has been one of the best performed middle-distance handicappers this summer, winning the Counties Cup and Waikato Cup at his past two starts.

On Monday he goes to weight-for-age racing. It's usually a much tougher proposition, but few in the field for the Zabeel Classic (2000m) have much weight-for-age form.

"Weight-for-age is a question mark for him, but then it is for most of them," Lammas said.

"I think only Distinctly Secret and El Duce have done much at weight-for-age, and El Duce is out of form.

'He should be able to cope with it all right."

Lammas' biggest fear is not so much the opposition, but the weather. Auckland has seen plenty of rain in the past week and Lammas doesn't want much more of it.

"He can cope with some cut in the ground, but only a little bit," he said.

"I'm not sure if he would run if it's really wet. Hopefully the track will be good come Boxing Day."

Lammas will team up with Gibbs horses in two other races - Darcybee in the listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Velvet And Satin in the New Zealand Herald 2YO (1100m).

Gibbs is also lining up the brothers Vinaka and Vaalu in the Newmarket but he decided along with Lammas that the jockey should ride Darcybee.

"We think she's (Darcybee) a good chance and she's also got the lightest weight," Lammas said.

- NZPA